Study to Identify and Characterize the Bacteria Causing Acute Otitis Media Episodes in Young Children in Taiwan

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: >= 3 months and < 5 years at the time they are seen by the pediatrician or ear, nose and throat specialist. The subject becomes ineligible on the fifth birthday.
• Onset of signs and symptoms of acute otitis media within 72 hours:
• One of the functional or general signs of otalgia (, conjunctivitis, fever and either
• Paradise's criteria or
• Spontaneous otorrhea of less than 1 day.
• Written informed consent obtained from parent or legally acceptable representative prior to study start.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hospitalized during the diagnosis of acute otitis media.
• Onset of otorrhea greater than 1 day prior to enrolment.
• Otitis externa, or otitis media with effusion.
• Presence of a transtympanic aerator.
• Systemic antibiotic treatment received for a disease other than acute otitis media in the 72 hours prior to enrolment.
• Receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis for recurrent acute otitis media.
• Provision of prescribing antibiotics by ear, nose and throat specialist and Pediatricians for acute otitis media before sample collection.
• Intended or planned prescription of antibiotic by pediatrician or ear, nose and throat specialist prior to the completion of study specified procedures during the enrolment visit.